New Law in Saks softball

Cara Law (R) addresses her team after being introduced as Saks’ new head softball coach by principal Jody Whaley.

By Al MuskewitzEast Alabama Sports Today

Jody Whaley has been waiting on pins and needles for days.

The Saks principal received board approval for his new softball coach Thursday, but wanted to wait to announce the hire until the new coach could meet the players.

That’s four days hoping nobody would spill the beans. Only a few knew.

The big reveal came Monday when Whaley formally removed the interim tag from Cara Law’s title and introduced her to the players as the new head coach after their morning workout.

In laying down the new Law, the Wildcats kept it in the family. Cara is the daughter of former Saks softball coach Randy Law, a decorated former Saks pitcher and last year served as an assistant coach on the team.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was in high school to have this job,” Law told East Alabama Sports Today moments after being introduced. “I’ve always wanted to follow in my dad’s footsteps.

“A lot of people said you can do college ball or something else … but it was just a God thing that this job came open the way it did. I believe God has a plan for everything. This wasn’t the way it was planned out to be initially, but things just fell together the way they were supposed to and I’m just so excited. This is a dream come true, really, to coach on my dad’s field.”

Law replaces Michelle Lively, who was not renewed for softball but will remain the program’s girls basketball coach. Law said she would have her father, the Wildcats’ volleyball coach, as one of her assistant coaches.

“It’s an exciting time,” Whaley said. “To find a gem like Cara Law, I assure you the softball community knows how fortunate Saks High School is to have her here. They know Cara Law and what she brings to the table.”

The first thing Law said to her players after being introduced was “Buckle up.” It’s a reference to doing everything it takes to be successful and that success is a product of hard work.

“I kind of think of this as like the way Nick Saban came in at Alabama,” she said. “Now, I’m not saying that I’ll ever be a legend anywhere close as legendary as him, but …

“It may take us a few years to get there, but these girls have to understand it’s a level of play they have to have a mindset for. We’ve got to get more mentally tough and it’s got to be 100 percent every day when you get here.”

Rising senior Daja Johnson listened intently to her new coach’s opening remarks. She said she was excited about the announcement and anticipates a smooth transition.

“We’re already used to her, we know how she is and what we expects out of us,” Johnson said. “I know Coach Law will do everything she can to get us everywhere we need to be. I have confidence she’s going to do a great job.”